A recent study found that 20% of college students have experienced binge drinking at least once a month. This means those students drank several alcoholic drinks in one night, to the point where they became inebriated. Another study found college students spent over $5 billion on alcohol in a single year. Those nights of excess lead to some serious consequences.
A 2006 study found that 1,700 college students died as the result of alcohol and drug abuse during 2005. This number is up significantly from 1998 when a similar study identified only 1,400 alcohol related deaths. At the same time, nearly 600,000 students were injured because of drinking and 696,000 more were the victims of an assault. The assailant in these cases was another student under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The consequences of sexual assault are also on the rise. Over 97,000 students were the victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or date rape while under the influence or while their partner was under the influence. A study also found that 400,000 students admitted to having unprotected sex while under the influence and an additional 100,000 admitted that they had been too drunk to remember if they had sex.
Students who drink and use drugs also face problems when it comes to their studies. Nearly 25% of college students have had difficulties with their class work as the result of drugs and alcohol, up from 17% a decade ago. This includes not going to class, missing work and receiving poor grades. Studies have also found that 34% of students missed class because of drinking or drugs and another 34% failed a course. A 1998 study also found that health problems as the result of alcohol abuse and suicide attempts were on the rise.
The abuse of alcohol and drugs has also led to criminal problems. Police arrests of intoxicated students were up to 110,000 in 2007 and nearly 5% of all students will have a run in with the police as the result of their drinking or drug abuse. This includes police called to parties, arrests, and assaults.
The statistics on drinking are also on the rise, with 73% of students admitting to drinking at least once a week. At the same point, male freshman are drinking an average of 7.39 drinks a week, while female freshman are consuming 3.86 drinks a week.
Recent studies have also found that drug abuse is one the rise. A study completed in 2006-2007 found that students were more likely to abuse prescription drugs, including pain medications. They're also more likely to use marijuana and Ecstasy than in previous years. The use of heavier drugs, such as cocaine, is falling.
A look into alcohol and drug abuse on college campuses is also offered by the following websites:
College Freshman: Pain Killers and Stimulants Less Risky Than Cocaine; More Risky Than Marijuana
Drug Prevalence on Campus Uncertain
A Snapshot of Annual High Risk College Drinking Consequences
Extreme Binge Drinking, Drug Abuse on Campus
Alcohol and Drug Abuse on College Campuses
